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English National Ballet Announces the New 2025-2026 Season

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English National Ballet offers a diverse programme of work, opening up the possibilities of ballet

Company to perform works by Martha Graham and Crystal Pite for the first time

World premiere from rising choreographic talent, Kameron N. Saunders

Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty revived with his national tour and first Royal Albert Hall performances

Increased national touring as ENB takes innovative, new programme to Theatre Royal Plymouth

Akram Khan’s Giselle marks 10^th anniversary with first performances at the London Coliseum

Extensive programme of creative health, learning and participation offered throughout the season

English National Ballet announces its 2025-2026 Season, with a dynamic and diverse programme of activity, opening up the possibilities for audiences of all ages to experience ballet.

English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, said: “At English National Ballet, we believe in the boundless emotional power of dance to move more people, in more ways. Alongside works that honour tradition and drive innovation, we offer a wide-ranging programme of creative learning and participation. So however you choose to connect with us, we invite you to ‘feel more’ with ENB.”

The season opens at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London in October, with a new programme R:Evolution, celebrating four visionary dance innovators.

It features works from two of the most influential choreographers of the 20^th century, both created in 1940’s New York: George Balanchine’s dazzling showcase, Theme and Variations, and Martha Graham’s visceral Errand into the Maze – a company premiere marking the first performance of her work by English National Ballet. Audiences will then be treated to the 1990’s classic Herman Schmerman (Quintet) by the legendary choreographer William Forsythe, who drew inspiration from both these visionaries and continued to propel ballet into the 21st-Century. Fast forward to present day and the work of David Dawson who is credited with evolving the artform through his physical and emotional choreographic language. This is epitomised by Dawson’s Four Last Songs, created in 2023 for English National Ballet.

The music for three of the works – by Tchaikovsky, Menotti and R. Strauss – will be performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Music Director, Maria Seletskaja, with soprano Madeleine Pierard singing R. Strauss’s masterwork.

Body & Soul is the season’s second new programme, with performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in March 2026. The bill includes a world premiere from rising talent and acclaimed commercial dancer Kameron N. Saunders, whose recent work includes performing with Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. Saunders brings his fresh choreographic voice to the UK stage with a work examining how we find our authentic self in the face of crushing societal pressure and expectation. A new score composed by Brandon Finklea and Harold Walker III will be played by English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Maria Seletskaja.

Completing the bill is the UK premiere of Body and Soul (Part 1) from Crystal Pite. Recognised as one of today’s most original choreographic talents, Pite uses her distinctive blend of precision and fluidity to create a mesmerising work exploring the human response to bereavement.

Body & Soul then travels to make its national premiere at the Theatre Royal Plymouth (30 April – 2 May 2026), demonstrating the Company’s commitment to broadening access to new and innovative work.

Aaron S. Watkin said: “Body & Soul sees the creative synergy of an emerging choreographic talent and one of today’s most boundary-pushing dance makers, reimagining the possibilities of ballet. Together, Kameron and Crystal infuse the stage with innovation and creativity in this powerful double bill, promising an unforgettable experience for us all.”

Honouring our commitment to the great tradition of classical ballet, the company presents Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty – a signature work from one ofBritain’s most celebrated choreographers, performed exclusively by English National Ballet. MacMillian’s timeless fairy tale ballet will tour to venues around the UK including Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (23-25 October 2025), Manchester’s Palace Theatre (19-22 November 2025), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (26-29 November 2025) and, for the first time, the Royal Albert Hall, London (18-23 June 2026). It features stunning costumes and sets by legendary designers Nicholas Georgiadis and Peter Farmer. Tchaikovsky’s breathtaking score is played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Maria Seletskaja, Dominic Grier and Kingsley Lin.

Following 2024’s sell-out performances, English National Ballet’s acclaimed Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith, returns this Christmas. With performances at the London Coliseum (11 December 2025 – 11 January 2026), audiences will join Clara on her fantastical adventure, from Edwardian London to the magical Land of Sweets & Delights. Nutcracker is brought to life by exquisite dancing, spectacular costumes and sets by Dick Bird and Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable score, played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. Music Director Maria Seletskaja, Principal Guest Conductor Gavin Sutherland, Martin West, Judith Yan and Alec Frank Gemmill conduct.

Akram Khan’s Giselle celebrates its 10^th anniversary with its first performances in the West End, at the London Coliseum (15 – 18 January 2026). The phenomenal success of this production, which was created on the Company, has seen it tour to 11 countries and 17 cities around the world since its 2016 premiere. Khan’s iconic take on the tragic tale of love, betrayal, and redemption features an imposing set from Academy Award-winner Tim Yip and powerful score by Vincenzo Lamagna.

For younger audiences, English National Ballet and English National Ballet School presentMy First Ballet at Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, the Peacock Theatre, in April 2026, as well as embarking on a national tour for the first time since 2019 (further detail to be announced). The perfect introduction to ballet, this series sees a narrator guide the audience along, making ballet accessible to audiences as young as three. The run also includes a Relaxed performance and a BSL Interpreted performance as part of the My First Inclusive Ballet programme, as well as a series of family workshops to extend the audience experience.

Returning in spring, Emerging Dancer shines a light on rising talent throughout the Company, with finalists showcasing their dedication and artistry. The event will be streamed to digital audiences and also includes The People’s Choice Award, as chosen by audience members, and the Corps de Ballet Award, for an Artist of the Company who has gone above and beyond, both on stage and off.

With its extensive Engagement programme, English National Ballet continues to be a leader in creative health, learning and participation, designing inspiring experiences to engage with our productions as a participant, audience member, creator and performer. Across the year, we connect with tens of thousands of adults, children and young people through this work.

Our industry-leading Dance Health programmes, Dance for Parkinson’s and Dance for Dementia, will be delivered at our studios in East London, nationally and online. Our inclusive work with schools, children and young people will offer unique opportunities to inspire the imagination and explore our productions. At our home, the Mulryan Centre for Dance, wide-ranging activity will include: youth dance talent development programmes ENBYouthCo-nnect and ENBYouthCo; artist support initiatives to nurture creative development; our annual dance talent showcase Re-Play, and Dance Classes for All.

English National Ballet will continue to grow its digital reach in 2025-2026, bringing ballet to more people in the UK and beyond. The company’s online platforms, BalletActive and Ballet on Demand will be further developed with additional productions, including the recently premiered Nutcracker, made available for audiences to enjoy from home.

Ballet Futures, English National Ballet’s talent pipeline project to incentivise children from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds (African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and South East Asian heritage) to participate in professional training, continues throughout 2025-2026. Ballet Futures has grown to include 35 students across five schools nationally. Following the success of selected students performing in ENB’s Nutcracker in 2024, next season will see further performance opportunities within the Ballet Futures programme.

Booking is open for The Sleeping Beauty in Liverpool, Manchester and Southampton.

Booking will open for R:Evolution on 16 May for Friends/Members with general booking on 19 May.

Booking will open for Body & Soul (Sadler’s Wells) and My First Ballet in autumn 2025.

Booking for Nutcracker and Akram Khan’s Giselle opens on 20 May for Friends/Members, and on 25 March for general booking.

Booking for Body & Soul (Theatre Royal Plymouth) opens soon.

Booking for The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Albert Hall opens in June 2025.

R:Evolution

Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London

1 – 11 October 2025

The Sleeping Beauty

Liverpool Empire Theatre

23 – 25 October 2025